Baby Einstein toy for your budding genius

Is it just me, or are parents these days just too eager to pressure their kids in staying up in front of others? Some even start from the womb itself, continuing this unforgiving regiment with the Baby Einstein Kids toy. The whole idea is to promote a multi-tasking, all-rounder baby-sitting for a toddler. I’m not too sure if that’s too healthy for the little one though, as he/she might end up with some rather impaired social skills after relating to such a toy fro too long a time. Still, if you’re interested in all things baby toys, the Baby Einstein will set you back by a mere $12.

[AVING]

Eco nightclub bound to be a hit

Since everything else is going green these days, what about a place where there are more pretentious than genuine people who spend money they don’t have to buy things they don’t need so that they can impress people they don’t like? Well, I’m talking about a nightclub here and if it actually kicks off, it could revolutionize the way we look as these pick-up joints. This eco-nightclub features a modified dance floor that aims to harness the energy expended by clubbers’ moves, converting it into electricity. Man, the DJ sure has a tough job in getting the patrons to start shaking their booty as much as possible with great music. The cover charge has been set at £10, while those who cycled, used public transport or walked there won’t have to fork out a single penny. To further keep up with the green theme, it uses a recycled water system to flush the loo, while organic spirits are served in polycarbon cups.

[Green Launches]

DS Celebration Cake

Man, this cake really, er, takes the cake when it comes to baked goodies that reflect the tech world. Featuring the bottom half of a DS Lite (hey, where’s the top half? Did somebody at the bakery wolf that down already?), you get a complete icing that features a giant Mario on his favorite stomping grounds in New Super Mario Bros. Big enough for 14 servings, you can be sure that any geeky birthday kid will go nuts over this special layered sponge cake. It is currently available to our friends across the pond as they can purchase it from Sainsbury’s in the UK.

[DS Fanboy]

Xip3 jacket versatile for backpackers

The Xip3 jacket might look stylish in its bright orange color (too bad the Dutch fell to the Russians in the Euro 2008 quarter finals, or they could use this to sleep outside the stadium as they prepare for a showdown with Spain), but it does more than just keep you warm. The Xip3 also doubles up as a backpack, thanks to the Powerstretch panel that offers more than enough space to store essential items (not extras) without tearing. Being waterproof and breathable at the same time, you don’t have to worry about dying of a cold outside against the biting, bitter winds. It can also be turned into a comfortable pillow on-the-fly, making this the perfect Christmas gift for any sidewalk hobo.

Product Page via Inventor Spot

Wii strengthens case in 2010

The Nintendo Wii might be a phenomenal seller among all three consoles, but it has the weakest performance as well. Still, that doesn’t mean that improvements cannot be made – check out this Wii concept that offers much more than motion control. It boasts a Wii headset accessory that relies on your brainwaves to control the movement of your avatar, complete with a pair of in-ear headphones for the optimal gaming experience. The Wiimote has also been modified to look more streamlined, featuring just a single button. I wonder whether such a fashion faux pas will happen in two years’ time though, with women playing their new Wiis in blue hair and a bikini.

[Yanko Design]

Antro Solo goes the extra mile (and more)

What comes across your mind when you mention Hungary? Not much, I suppose, and definitely state-of-the-art green vehicles are among the last things you would utter. Still, the Antro Solo could change all that by the time 2012 rolls around, being a combination of solar, human and gas-electric hybrid vehicle. It has arresting looks and the performance which will make you smile – a phenomenal 150 miles per gallon! This three seater is made out of carbon fiber, weighing a mere 270kg with a top speed of 87mph. Thanks to the solar panels located on top of its roof, it is able to travel up to 25km without consuming a drop of fuel. Passengers can also save on their gym membership as there are built-in pedals for them to power the generator. Should it be a cloudy day and everyone else is pooped, the Antro Solo will then rely on its petrol/ethanol-powered combustion engine.

[Inhabitat]

Bra juggles, joins circus

No, I don’t mean a piece of lingerie made from environmentally friendly materials, but more of a future bra which is able to harness the power of kinetic energy generated by jiggling boobies to power – say, an iPod at the gym while ladies are hitting the treadmill? Of course, it will take considerable effort to find just the right material which has the optimal amount of spring and support, in addition to the ladies doing their part by being busty enough (au naturale or not, that’s another story). You know those rapper videos featuring models with huge jugs strutting their thang? They’re the most optimal test subjects where such a bra is concerned. Unfortunately, it is just an idea being bandied about, but maybe we might see something like this appear under Triumph’s summer catalog one day.

[Slate]

Puff away electronically

Man, back when I was a kid and introduced to the world of computers, I understood that art can be digitized, but cigarettes? Those are foul smelling cancer sticks we’re talking about here, is there really a chance of that happening? Apparently so, with the Electronic Cigarette on offer. Claims include “giving you the same feeling of a tobacco cigarette without suffering any tar smoking damages.” I wonder if any smoker has tried that – is it true? I do have my niggling doubts, since substitutes are never as good as the real thing (just like artificial sweeteners in your coffee). It takes around 8 hours to charge the first time round, and you can choose from high, medium and low refills. Meant for those who want to kick the habit, or it could potentially be a precursor for the curious before they discover the joys of actual nicotine.  $42 is the asking price for each set.

Cardboard Safari offers deer puzzler

Hunting can be a real bloody sport, so if you’re the type who want a semblance of the actual experience without spilling any blood, there is always the Deer Hunter franchise on the PC. Unfortunately, that won’t net you any deer head trophies, so Cardboard Safari has come up with an ingenious method – deer head puzzles. Each of these puppies come with antlers to complete the look, and it uses only recycled cardboard to keep up with the overall green theme. According to designers Chris Jessee and Luis Rodrigalvarez, these cardboard pieces were laser cut to fit into each other, so make sure you have the patience to solve such puzzles lest you throw a tantrum in front of your kid. The price range falls between $14 to $46, depending on the size. Best of all is, you don’t need to fear keeping a gun in your home.

[Inventor Spot]

Pyramid TimeTrax Bio Ethernet Time Clocks

Bosses who want to keep a tight rein on their workers cannot understate the value of employee time attendance systems, but even the best of measures can be overcome by some ingenuity including “buddy punching”. The Pyramid TimeTrax Bio Ethernet Time Clocks aims to eliminate such occurences, as being “Ethernet-ready allows for multi-terminal capabilities that will grow as your business grows.” All you need to do is connect the Pyramid TimeTrax Ethernet unit to any networked Ethernet jack and you’re good to go. This makes it a snap to transfer employee data from one time clock to another, letting employers set up mutiple time stations. In addition, this unique time clock is compatible with other time attendance system software such as PAYCHEX, Quickbooks and ADP among others. Kiss goodbye to “buddy punching” with the new biometric-enabled Pyramid Ethernet Time Clock. Guess you might think of getting a mold of your fingerprint now to fool this system, eh?

[Press Release]